Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-10-05
A RUW OVER LANGTRY.
Fred May and New Orleans Gambler
Excl q age the Lie-Seti0us Con.
sequences Prevented
BY tho Muscular Interference of Friends
a Lively Scene on the Floor of a
Now York saloon,

NEW York, Sept. 27.-That lmpertur DE-
bic and blase an-about-town, Fred May,
had about SIS close 8 call the other night
in one of his numerous escapades up
town as he is ever likely to have again,
and get clear with lis life. Ee mas pull
ed himself out o. 8 good mary scrspeH,
but the last one was considerably more
dangerous at one period OF the row than
any Of his recent escepades Perhaps
the best known New York gambler, and :
man who never speaks in euperlatives.
SAID ia relation 30 the matter tonight:
"May came as near losing his life as pos
sible, considering the fact that ne was
not touched. He Wss nearer TO the verge
than | ever want to be-"
The row was in Valkurbaugh's saloon,
which is next door to the Hoffman house
and under the Al0emerle hotel, and the
principals were Fred May ana Mike. Duffy.
May is q man Of the world in every sense,
has hosts of friends, and despite no end
of talk he is unqueationably a man of
high personal courage. His name has
been familiar all over America ever since
his duel with James Gordon Bennett.
His latest escapade was the smashing in
OF door Of an lnoftnsive citizen named
Bates. VINO lived in the Berkeley apart
ment house, Newport.
Mike Duffy is regarded as the most dan
gerous msn in New Orlesns. He is thir-
ty-three years old, of erect carriage and
handsome presence. He dresses
'aultlesslY, is slim dignlhed
tsche; ne is typical gambler, cold, calm,
resolute and dangerous. He IS here on q
icir no cot Noi yay,hn @
ST an early hour this morning with sew
eral friends when Fred May walked in.
Detective Sergeant Hickey, Harry Perry,
Paul Arthur, the actor, and half o dozen
men-sbout-town were entertaining Duffy.
May joined the group. He was intro
duceo TO the Southern gambler, but
he either did not catch his name or he
did not know who he WIGS.
After talking while the men fell 10
trying different feats of strength, such as
putting down arms, twisting coins, lift
ing chairs and the ike. In all the con-
tests M7y's tremendous muscles placed
him ahead OF the others. Duffy sat and
smoked as he watched these different
amusements, and finally somebody men
toned the name of Mrs, Langtry, and the
crowd fell to discussing the latest cres-
ton Of the Jersey Lily, GAS in Look
Ing-glGss" After they had talked Jew
minutes May drew himself up, and, drop
ping his fist. on the table, said:
az don't care to have that lady dis
cussed here" staring sharply at Duffy,
who happened 20 be speaking st the time.
Duffy looked across the table ut Mr..
May a moment and then said; ''Mrs.
LsDgcry is s public character; sne adver-
tises herself rs such; forces herself down
The public throat, and as such any man
III the world has the right to discuss her
in public whenever and wherever ne
pleases."
"No man can do it here" said Mr. Ma,
savagely.
.'Oa, yes be cau," drawled the south
errer, quietly. AZ can and l will
hsve : good mind 70 send around TO hel
house now aud see if she won't 90 ouS to
supper with me-" Duffy leaned forward,
win his elbows on the table. and stared
directly in the eyes of May, end both
men sat looking at each other, while the
others pushed their chairs back from
the table. There was moments silence
and then May said tauntingly: "Oh, no,
you won't
ayes, WILL" said the other.
rYou are iiar!" shouted the New
Yorker.
The men jumped to their feet and Ser
gesnt Hickey threw himself on May, who
Jump toward Duffy. CAPTAIN Morgan,
VINO was also in the group, took Dufy's
arm and attempted to draw him away.
Duffy shook him loose and walked up in
front Of May, who lowered above him,
aud said to Hickey and the other men who
were holding May back: "Let go of the
big stuff He is rank coward and liar.
Ha is afraid you will let him go. If you
take your hands off MIN he won't come
near me-" He stood within half foot
Of Nays face and tainted him in the
Quietest manner in the world. Men who
knew Duff made up their minds that the
Jig was up with May, for there is no
questions about the tactics of man who
has made the reputation that Duffy has in
land where the revolver is the gambler IS
bible. The others held May back
and forced him slowly towards the door,
while Duffy walked slowly after him
+aunting and insulting him as he went.
Finally the proprietor of the place got 8
hearing, and the men were taken away by
their friends.
Harry Perry and Hickey then qugrreled
and Perry was knocked down. Two po-
licemep arrested the detective sergeant,
but released him Oh the way to the sta
ti0n house.